Times Out

• THEATRE: Swap shop deserves a gold star

  IF YOU are going to stage a theatre show which takes children on a journey – an actual, physical walkabout – you need to be able to think on your feet.

• THEATRE – Oran Mor has China on its hands

  SIGNING up to Glasgow's award-winning series of lunchtime plays is like the theatrical equivalent of a bootcamp, with a manic two-week rehearsal period typically followed by a week-long run at Oran Mor.

• MUSIC – Alt-J see one sign of success

  MERCURY Music Prize winners Alt-J admit their new-found fame has one problem – they can't believe people want their autographs.

• MUSIC: Pigeons in the Arches

  the Pigeon Detectives have always been proud of their home city roots.

• Clubbing - See you, Shimmy

  THE Shimmy Club – the omnipotent G1 Group's latest venue – flings open its doors tonight for a dazzling all-weekend launch party.

• Dinertec @ Ashoka, Ashton Lane

  I was enjoying a chill-out Tuesday, some down time due for hauling my brogues round the mean city streets.

• Paul Greenwood's movie reviews - Dead Man Down, I'm So Excited, 21 And Over, All Stars, Chimpanzee, We Are Northern Lights

  Dead Man Down (15, 118 mins)

• Nightmoves - Wired @ Box

  A REFUGE for those in thrall to the simple, riff-heavy rock 'n' roll of old, Box is out of place in Sauchiehall Street.

• Music - Expect a wild show from Savages

  THEY'RE the band who are living up to their name.

• TV: Queen Mary Looks For The Road To Recovery...

  Mary Portas often gets stopped by people on the street.

• Theatre - Leah Macrae on 51 Shades Of Maggie

  CAN you imagine breaking the news to your parents that you're being paid to have your backside skelped and about to undergo two hours of sexual subservience – in front of 1600 people?

• Theatre - Football drama scores at Oran Mor

  MOLLY Taylor is no stranger to ploughing every last ounce of energy into her work.

• FILM: Jack is the nicest murderer you could meet

  Despite the dim light of his hotel room, the dark circles under Jack Black's eyes are clearly visible, his voice is hoarse and his hair is damp with sweat.

• DANCE: Tapping Into Storm Force

  ASHLEY Banjo of Diversity used the words "disgustingly good" to describe an Irish dance prodigy who's achieved a feat that Michael Flatley couldn't - by making Irish dancing cool.

• Nightmoves - Rook'd @ Faktory

  FAKTORY – the new club, bar and canteen at the foot of Byres Road – is a curious one.

• Clubbing - Cut to the Chase (& Status)

  THE aggressive, adrenaline-pumping noise of post-dubstep duo Chase & Status is a remarkable thing to witness.

• Music - Bleed From Within's fashionable sideline

  HAMILTON band Bleed From Within are already metal heavyweights – but now they've got an eye for fashion.

• Paul Greenwood's movie round-up... Iron Man 3, The Look Of Love, Bernie, The ABCs Of Death

  Iron Man Three (12A, 130mins)

• TV - The Chuckle sisters

  I LIKE wearing a little bit of facial hair," says Lorna Watson when we meet to discuss the second series of sketch show Watson & Oliver.

• Dinertec @ Southern Spice, Sauchiehall Street

  IT had all started well – Moll was in the kitchen planning one of her dark chocolate cake dreams.